Western Asiatic Bronze Cloak Pin

Plano-convex in section with lightly incised standing figure with sword and shield in his outstretched hands. 13.21 grams, 27.07 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Domed openwork cover with inlays, the knop surrounded by a band of inlaid leaves, a band of Greek key motifs below and above the basal rim enclosing a series of figures in dynamic poses, three of the figures enclosed within a medallion and depicting a seated male with crossed legs and a bird on his right side. 345 grams, 14 cm



with a London, UK gallery 1971-early 2000s.

Tongue-shaped in profile with incuse image of an advancing ram beneath a crescent moon, arrow in the field. 4.40 grams, 18.46 mm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

The ibex, a wild mountain goat with distinctive curved horns, was a popular and meaningful motif in ancient Near Eastern art. It often appears in Mesopotamian and Persian imagery, where it could symbolise strength, agility, and a connection to the natural and divine worlds. In some contexts, the ibex is linked with fertility and abundance, particularly through its association with flowing water and vegetation. Its elegant form also made it well suited to small-scale objects such as seals, where its image could serve both a decorative and symbolic purpose, reflecting the beliefs and environment of the cultures that produced them.